Strikethrough Text Generator

What is strikethrough Unicode text?

Strikethrough text uses Unicode combining marks: U+0336 (Combining Long Stroke Overlay) draws a horizontal line through any base character, while U+0332 (Combining Low Line) draws an underline, U+0338 (Combining Long Solidus Overlay) draws a diagonal slash, and U+0305 (Combining Overline) draws a line above.

The key distinction from CSS text-decoration is that combining marks are actual characters in the text stream. When you paste s̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶t̶h̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ text into a WhatsApp message, Discord username, or Twitter bio, the strikethrough travels with the text. There is no <del> tag or `text-decoration: line-through` involved — the mark is embedded in the character sequence.

Because combining marks are zero-width (they attach to the preceding letter without advancing the cursor position), each strikethrough letter is technically two Unicode code points: one combining mark + one base letter. Twitter counts each code point separately, so a 5-letter strikethrough word like s̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶ counts as 10 characters toward the limit.

We generate five decoration styles:

• Strikethrough (s̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶) — horizontal line through each letter using U+0336 • Underline (u̲n̲d̲e̲r̲l̲i̲n̲e̲) — line below using U+0332; typewriter aesthetic • Double Underline (d̳o̳u̳b̳l̳e̳) — heavier double-underline using U+0333 • Slash-through (s̸l̸a̸s̸h̸) — diagonal line using U+0338; 'forbidden' visual language • Overline (t̄o̅p̄) — line above the text using U+0305

How to use strikethrough on Twitter, Instagram & Discord

Twitter / X: the most-used strikethrough format on X is the 'joke correction' — cross out one word and follow it with the 'real' word. For example: 'My resolution is to s̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶c̶r̶a̶s̶t̶i̶n̶a̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ optimise my time management.' X has no native strikethrough button, so Unicode combining marks are the only option.

Instagram captions: strikethrough is excellent for before/after price reveals, ironic self-deprecation, and comedy-style disclaimers. The visual 'crossed out' meaning communicates editorial intent that plain text can't convey.

Discord: Discord's native ~~double tildes~~ markdown strikethrough works in chat messages. Use Unicode strikethrough where Discord markdown isn't parsed: status messages, usernames, and custom bot fields.

WhatsApp: WhatsApp supports ~single tilde~ markdown for strikethrough in messages. For display names, status, and group descriptions — where markdown is not rendered — Unicode strikethrough is the alternative.

Reddit: Reddit markdown supports strikethrough in posts and comments via ~~text~~. On mobile browsers or subreddits using custom styles, Unicode strikethrough renders reliably without needing markdown.

Creative uses: Underline (u̲n̲d̲e̲r̲l̲i̲n̲e̲) gives a typewriter-style manual-underline look popular in vintage aesthetics. Slash-through (s̸l̸a̸s̸h̸) works in 'prohibited' icons and cyberpunk aesthetics. Overline creates an unusual visual accent that draws attention precisely because it's so rarely seen.

Accessibility note: screen readers announce combining marks as separate characters. Never use strikethrough text where content is informational — only for decoration.

Where strikethrough text works

Pro tips

• Strikethrough combines with any base character — including numbers, punctuation, and emojis.
• In email, combining marks sometimes render 0.5px off — expect minor visual glitches.
• You can stack multiple decorations (strikethrough + underline) but readability drops fast.

Frequently asked questions